Woman denies role in Old Steel Bridge homicide

A Kalispell woman has denied charges that she played a role in the murder of Anthony Andrew Walthers, who was allegedly pushed off the Old Steel Bridge last month.

Heather Joy Meeker, 25, pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence in Flathead County District Court on Thursday.

The arraignment for Cecil Thomas Rice, 26, who is charged with the deliberate homicide of Walthers, was continued.

Meeker is scheduled for a jury trial on Aug. 7.

If convicted she could face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $50,000 fine.

According to court documents, Walthers was allegedly pushed from the bridge on April 27 after an argument escalated between he and Rice over inappropriate comments Walthers allegedly made about Meeker.

According to witness accounts, Rice allegedly drove a maroon van carrying Walthers, Meeker and a third male to the bridge. The third male contacted law enforcement a day after the incident to inform them he had been with Rice, Meeker and Walthers on the bridge and had heard Walthers go into the water before they got into the van and left the scene.

Another witness said she was fishing at the river when she heard a large splash near the bridge and saw a man, identified as Walthers, floating in the river. Walthers allegedly called out for help and was in obvious distress.

The grandson of the witness said he followed Walthers down the river until he saw his head go under and never resurface.

Court documents state Meeker admitted in an interview to having thrown a backpack she believed belonged to Walthers out of the van as Rice drove away from the scene to conceal it from law enforcement.

Authorities were able to identify Walthers when his backpack, containing his Arizona identification card, was found at an Episcopal church.

Due to the freezing temperatures and fast-moving water in the river that night, authorities have presumed Walthers dead, though authorities have not yet located his body. The search continues for his remains.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.